sbo333 Sheffield United moved back into the Championship play-off places with a comfortable 3-1 win at lowly Reading.

On an icy surface that made for a poor spectacle, United led 2-0 at the break after goals from Billy Sharp and Mark Duffy.

Reading cut the deficit early in the second half through Omar Richards and could have levelled in the 62nd minute. But United's replacement keeper Simon Moore saved Leandro Bacuna's penalty and Sharp added his second goal almost immediately.

United led the table in mid-November but a poor run of only four wins in 16 matches had seen them slip to eighth place. Reading, the beaten play-off finalists last season, went into the match just four points clear of the relegation zone.

United began quickly in the sub-zero temperature, with the pitch covered in a thin layer of snow. They missed two gilt-edged chances in the opening minutes as the Reading defence failed to cope with the slippery conditions. sbo333

Leon Clarke should have done better when seizing on a Liam Moore error but drove wide with only home goalkeeper Vito Mannone to beat. Clarke soon had a chance to atone but, after a mistake by Tiago Ilori, saw his effort blocked.

Reading were not helped by the loss of winger Garath McCleary after only six minutes due to injury and five minutes later, United deservedly went ahead.

Clarke crossed low from the left and former Reading loanee Sharp saw his first close-range effort saved by Mannone but followed up to score his 12th goal of the season.. sbo333